The North Country Maturing Gardener lives, gardens and ages gracefully (we can only hope!) in Northern New Hampshire. She was certified as a Master Gardener in Connecticut and now, New Hampshire. Aging however, brings limitations...hence the internet vs. the digging! :-) So, come visit and have the North Country Maturing Gardener (NCMG) answer your gardening questions on line!

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

XERISCAPING YOUR GARDEN

OK...just WHAT is xeriscaping? Xeriscaping is pretty much defined as growing plants that are drought-adapted while using water saving techniques. As a lazy gardener...this is my idea of the perfect garden. Just plant, water to get the plant established, stand back and enjoy! UMH...did I say weeds are also relatively drought-adapted? I guess it wasn't exactly perfect in every way, was it? Oh, well. ALMOST perfect! You won't have to water NEAR as much. And if you add lots of mulch, even the weeds will be kept at bay. The mulch will also help conserve any water that does fall on your garden.Try visiting this web site at the NH Department of Environmental Services. It is an entire page on how to go about xeriscaping your garden. However, I will give you you their list of plant materials that will work quite well in a dry situation, in our climate. This means you will use less of your water resources, as well as making your garden easier to handle.When you choose plant materials to add to your garden, try seriously to work some of these into the plan. You will NOT regret it!My garden is quite far from a hose, so it really has to depend on the water sent from the heavens. Xeriscaping therefore, really appeals to me.

The following is a list of plant materials (from the NH DES web site given above) well adapted for water-wise landscaping in New Hampshire.

I love the whole idea in fact the garden going in very slowly at the side of my house will be dependant on being drought proof since I want one area that I can virtually ignore and still look good. Yarrow is one of the first plants to go in and all the wild flower seeds are for a drought garden.

About Me

I hope gardeners will visit to get gardening information and ideas. I post monthly chores as well as give an idea of what's happening in my garden as the year evolves. It is geared toward Northern New England gardens. I hope you'll visit often!